It Specialist / It Analyst

Recently I've been at a job interview for a position of IT Analyst in an American company. The personal manager asked me if I know the difference between IT Specialist and IT Analyst. I couldn't answer because we have no such kind of position in Russia. Could anybody answer what does it mean? The functions listed in the requirement list of that position were similar to a Russian position of IT Specialist. When I asked her what's the difference, she just answerd that they had no position for IT Specialist in their company. Will you pleace answer whether an IT Specialist is a common position for the USA companies or not?

I would imagine that a Specialist is more of a technician and an Analyst is more "white collar": an analyst helps design a system and a specialist may help to maintain it.
To be honest, the whole question seems silly, though I'm sure you found the situation uncomfortable (for which you have my sympathy).